Teacher Fired After Serving Alcohol And Condoms To Students

Isabel Diaz-Almaraz was officially axed Wednesday from her job at South Miami Senior High School after a student posted incriminating photos online suggesting he received a “party platter” full of booze and condoms from her.

She was initially suspended without pay in September 2012 following an investigation.

A 46-page document claims Diaz-Almaraz used $1,000 from her PayPal account to rent a penthouse suite for students last year during a prom after-party.

A student posted a picture on Instagram of the four-bedroom penthouse overlooking the ocean, as well as a second picture of a party tray.

The goodies included Durex condoms, bottles of Malibu Rum and Grey Goose, Jell-O and candies.

The student captioned the photo, “Thank you Mrs.D!!!”

Officials said the teacher was also at the infamous after-party, although she testified during the investigation that she didn’t ply the students with alcohol.

Some students denied she was the one who brought the booze.

Diaz-Almaraz’s husband had also been at the penthouse the next day cooking steaks for the students, reported NBC affiliate WTVJ.

“I don’t think we should ever exalt or celebrate the termination of an employee,” Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said at Wednesday’s board meeting announcing her termination. “At the same time, their standard of conduct — particularly behavior that could endanger children that jeopardizes safety of children — must be upheld.”

Students said Diaz-Almaraz appeared overly chummy, describing her as “fun” and “young.”

One mom who supported the teacher called the investigation of her a “witch hunt.”
“I do not believe at any time Mrs. D endangered my daughter,” parent Marci Sigel wrote to the school board.

An administrative law judge had recommended over the summer that the teacher be reinstated, although Carvalho disagreed and pushed for her termination.

Diaz-Almaraz’s lawyer claimed she only rented the hotel suite for the students because doing so required a PayPal account, which none of the students had, the Miami Herald reported.

“This is not a career-ending mistake,” argued attorney Mark Herdman, adding that she has taken responsibility for her actions.

She was wrong, but this is another example of how social media can get you in trouble.